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Grading Report Basics
How Important is the Diamond Grading Certificate?
Many diamonds that are purchased online and at jewelry stores come with a diamond grading certificate that is much like a "fingerprint" of the certified diamonds. This allows you to learn about the diamond that you are purchasing to ensure that you are getting the diamond that you want and are paying for to help protect you as a consumer. This grading report allows you to evaluate the diamond more comprehensively than you can by just simply looking at the diamond. These laboratories grade clarity, color, size, polish, symmetry, and the diamond size to allow you to see exactly what the diamond is that you are purchasing. This can help you to make sure you are getting the diamond that the salesperson is claiming it to be and the maximum value for your money.
Diamond Grading Laboratories
Many different grading laboratories concentrate on certified diamonds. You will want to research the different laboratories to make sure that you understand the diamond grading certificate that you are presented with. The GIA or Gemological Institute of America is the laboratory that most online grading reports come from. They created the four "C's" system of grading that includes cut, color, clarity, and carat weight and base their ratings of the GIA certified diamonds on these evaluations. The AGSL or American Gem Society Laboratory offers a numbered grading system from 0 to 4, with 0 being at the most ideal range and 4 at the least desirable range. The HRD or Hoge Raad voor Diamant is the European equivalent to the GIA and their grading reports are considered legal documents in Europe and the Far East. Other labs, including the IGI (International Gemological Institute), the AGI (Antwerpse Gemologische Instelling), the EGL (European Gemological Laboratory), etc. also grade loose diamonds. Sample reports are available for the grading laboratories in order that you may see how their grading process differs from each other to make you more of an informed customer.
Click here for a list of diamond laboratories.
Things to Remember When Looking at a Diamond Certificate
When you buy certified diamonds, you want to check the diamond grading certificate for a few certain things. Check the date on the certificate, because the older the certificate, the larger chance that the diamond has been changed or damaged in some way. If you are not sure about the diamond compared with the grading report, have the diamond graded again to ensure you get maximum value. Other things you will want to notice on the diamond grading certificate include the cut, carat weight, measurements, clarity, color rating, and more. Keep in mind that each laboratory may grade their diamonds differently, which means that you need to understand the report completely or ask questions if you are unsure about a facet of the report. By reading the grading report and evaluating the diamond in conjunction with this report and your own two eyes, you can better determine if the diamond is the right one for your purchase.
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1.09ct VVS1 / G